Ridge Runners reward welcoming fans with win in Appy League home opener

Bluefield's Ridge Runners, defending Appalachian League champions, opened their home stand at Bowen Field with a 12-8 win over Danville in front of nearly 1,000 fans. Enzo Infelise delivered a two-RBI first-inning homer to start the scoring, then Travis Peitz went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Infelise finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs; Cameron Dube added an RBI in a 2-for-5 effort. Five Bluefield pitchers combined for seven strikeouts but issued 16 walks as the offense produced 12 runs on 10 hits. Andrew George (1-0) earned the win after relieving starter Dominic Smith, who walked five. Danville countered with a four-run eighth, but closer Trent Ash yielded one earned run in the ninth to seal the win. The Ridge Runners, now 4-2, were slated to host the Otterbots Friday at 6 p.m., with Kingsport games to follow and a trip to Pulaski on Tuesday.